GATESVILLE – Gates County High School Arts students are stepping out of the comfort of their classroom zone this year are and participating in the 2018 Albemarle Food Bank’s annual Empty Bowls event.

This annual event is a popular one in the Albemarle area and Gates County High School arts teachers are excited about the opportunity to support it. Students have been working hard on finishing bowls for firing and then will glaze them under the direction of Ms. Sam Guy, GCHS arts teacher. The students really enjoyed working with the clay and creating three dimensional works of art that are going to be used to help a good cause.

Jim Messer, art professor at Roanoke Chowan Community College, is graciously helping with the firing and the glazing of the bowls.

Other area schools with ceramics classes that are providing bowls for the event include College of The Albemarle, Northeastern High School, Pasquotank County High School and Camden County High School

This year’s benefit will be held April 10-11 at Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City.

Tickets are now on sale for the 5th annual Empty Bowls of The Albemarle, an event where art meets hunger relief in northeast North Carolina. New this year is the change of venue to accommodate increasing attendance.

“We are excited to announce that this year’s Empty Bowls is being held in partnership with Museum of the Albemarle, on the museum’s portico,” said Food Bank Executive Director Liz Reasoner. “Each year we have seen incredible growth and support from the community, and we hope the expanded space available at the Museum will allow more guests to attend. Food Bank of the Albemarle is grateful to the many sponsors, artists, teachers and students for donating their time and talent to make this event a success year after year.”

Empty Bowls is an annual fundraising event that emerged from an international grassroots effort to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger. Through the art of pottery and the power of people desiring to help alleviate hunger in the area, proceeds from this unique event will benefit the thousands of families served through Food Bank of the Albemarle, making an immediate impact in our community.

“Museum of the Albemarle is pleased to collaborate with the Food Bank of the Albemarle in hosting their signature fundraiser, Empty Bowls of the Albemarle, this year.  It is our hope that our facility’s capacity will contribute to a larger attendance and bring about a greater awareness of hunger in northeastern North Carolina,” said Barbara Putnam, Operations Manager with Museum of the Albemarle.

The Empty Bowls Preview Party and Silent Auction will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10. Attendees will enjoy the sounds of the Bobby Plough and Adam Nixon Duo, a selection of delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by Montero’s Restaurant, Bar & Catering, and have the opportunity to bid on some beautiful works of art created by area artisans during the silent auction. Tickets for the Preview Party, which also includes admission for the luncheon, are $40 each.

The Empty Bowls Luncheon will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11. Guests will enjoy a variety of homemade soups, rolls and desserts. Each ticketholder may select one piece of handcrafted pottery made by local artists and arts education programs to take home as a keepsake and reminder of the many empty bowls across northeast North Carolina. Tickets for the luncheon are $20 each.

The 2018 goal is to raise $25,000, with all proceeds to benefit Food Bank of the Albemarle. For every dollar received, the Food Bank can provide the equivalent of four meals to someone in need.

For more information or online ticket purchases, visit www.afoodbank.org. Tickets can also be purchased from the Museum of the Albemarle Gift Shop, Firehouse Subs and Food Bank of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City.

For more information contact Carolyn Anderson, Director of Development, at 252-335-4035, ext. 111, or email caranderson@feedingamerica.org.

The Mission of the Food Bank is to fight hunger and poverty in their 15-county service area in northeast North Carolina. They are a regional clearinghouse for the collection and distribution of food and grocery items to 145 non-profit and faith-based organizations for their food programs, and to eligible individuals for their food needs. For more information call (252) 335-4035 or visit www.afoodbank.org.